Archive for tag:
career

Two weeks until graduation, but this will be my last blog. This
past week has been crazy. I think I have spent every extra minute
studying for my HB Kim herb test as well as my herb board. I will
admit I am burned out. As much as I study, sometimes I feel as if
it goes in one ear and out the other. This may be in part due to
plans of my future business rolling around in the back of my mind
or the valedictorian speech I need to write. It seems like every
minute counts in these last few weeks.

As much as I feel I have studied for my herb test, in actuality
I have yet to even conquer all the information. I have found that
spending extra time in the herb room with the herbs and preparing
formulas for the other interns has helped me remember the herbs
better. I am a visual learner, so seeing the herbs over and over
again actually helps me remember what they do. So, if you are
thinking about studying herbs, the herb room may benefit you as
well.

My fellow graduate has passed three of his board tests so I
shouldn't be worried about taking them. National's classes really
do prepare the student for the boards. The key to success, however,
is to stay on top of your studies and don't wait until the last
minute to cram. Cramming may allow you to pass the test, but when
it comes to board or comp exams, it just won't cut it.

My fellow student Kim (pictured above) will be taking over the
AOM blog (view Kim's
blog). She transferred in from another TOM school and is sure
to shed a new light of comparisons between schools. She comes with
a lot of experience having worked with an acupuncturist in the
field, and may share that with you, too. I had hopes of shadowing a
few acupuncturists but unfortunately with my schedule I was not
able to.

So my last word of advice is: If your schedule allows, try
calling an acupuncturist in the area and asking if you may shadow
them for a few days to experience how an actual practice runs. They
have much information that may assist you in the future.

Well, it was my pleasure sharing my school experiences with you
and I hope it has shed some light as to what it is like to be a
student at National. In good health :)

Editor's Note: Congratulations, Elizabeth, on your
achievement as the valedictorian of the Summer 2011 graduation
class, and best wishes for an exciting and successful
practice.

As I promised last week, I was able to have lunch while
interviewing a graduate of the Oriental Medicine Program. Margaret
Thompson-Choi, you might remember, wrote this blog before
me.

Margaret graduated in December 2009. After graduation, she spent
5 weeks in Korea continuing her OM education hands-on at a
hospital. She visited Kyung Hee University in the months of January
and February while staying with her in-laws. Margaret says the
hospital specializes in Bell's Palsy, so she would feel very
comfortable treating such patients in her office.

Kyung Hee University has 12 departments and students have the
choice of touring one or all of the departments. Margaret spent 8
hours a day touring the university and was very impressed with the
hospital. "It was similar to a Western hospital; they utilized all
of the same equipment, such as MRI machines to help diagnose
patients," she said, "and it was also very sanitary."

Some of the interesting things she witnessed were the doctors
doing manipulation to patients called Chuna, which she described as
similar to chiropractic adjustments. The hospital also utilized
pulse machines that were able to electronically print out the pulse
diagnosis from a strap around the patient's wrist. The doctors also
took high quality pictures of the patient's tongue. These were used
in diagnoses but also to show improvement to the patient. Margaret
also noticed that some doctors only practiced herbs. After writing
a prescription for the patient, they would give it to the
hospital's pharmacy. The pharmacy had big vats that they prepared
and boiled the herbs in. They then put the individual dosages into
little cartons that the patient could drink right away.

Margaret really enjoyed her experience and recommends the
university as shorter alternative to the year-long China trip. The
trip would run around $2,000 plus lodging.

Currently, Margaret is working at one location in Chicago and
two locations in Naperville. At one of those locations, she is an
independent contractor and is slowly building up her patient base.
She currently sees one to seven patients a day but would be happy
to see 8-12 a day. She also has the ability to recommend herbs if
the patient chooses.

She states, "There are jobs out there for acupuncturists, you
just need to find them." She looked on craigslist, sent letters to
chiropractors, and checked on NUHS's alumni site for job offerings.
She also suggested joining a leads group in the town in which you
would like to practice. The group meets weekly and exchanges
business cards. She suggests working at two places maximum to build
up a good clientele. When I asked her for her advice, she said, "Be
prepared for set-backs." Things may take longer than anticipated
such as getting your license and finding work. But it all works
out.

I would like to thank Margaret for allowing me to interview her
and for sharing her experiences with all of the future
acupuncturists.

The much needed winter break has ended, and as always I still
feel like I need another week - but then again who doesn't. Our
winter breaks are usually three weeks long and spring and summer
breaks last two weeks.

Office Environment

Three weeks was long enough for my husband and I to do some
business shopping. We had the chance to visit an acupuncturist in
Oak Park and a chiropractor. Each practitioner gave us different
advice but all very helpful. The office atmospheres were completely
different.

The acupuncture office was more exotic and peaceful but
professional, which I really liked. I think when a patient walks in
the door they should breathe a breath of relaxation, which I felt
was accomplished in that office. The chiropractic office was very
professional and big with lots of light. It was a typical medical
office environment and in my opinion not very relaxing.

After listening to both practitioners, it seemed they tailored
their environment to their patients' needs and expectations. For my
husband and I, it gave us a big clue as to what kind of environment
we should strive for.

Community Contacts

We also got a jump on the business ball by stopping into the
local Chamber of Commerce, which offered us much help, as well as
steered us in the direction of a reputable commercial real estate
agent. Even though we are looking a little early, I think it shows
our dedication and ambition as business owners to these individuals
(who could possibly be future patients). We also interviewed an
accountant who offered us loads of information free of
charge.

My advice to you, future students and possible business owners,
is to check out all of your business opportunities way in advance
of graduation. Talk to as many practitioners in the area in which
you are thinking of practicing because they can each give you
valuable information as well as warn you of any mistakes they have
made.

AOM Graduation

On another note, the Fall 2010 graduating class was the largest
so far for the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program. Cherlyn,
one of our Oriental Medicine grads will be traveling to China in a
month or so. She will be attending the program set up by our
Hui Yan Dr. Cai. Cherlyn will be teaching English to students in
exchange for room and board as well as attending grand rounds in a
University Hospital in Xi'an. We have had two graduates enter the
program so far. I plan to stay in touch with Cherlyn to give
everyone details on her year-long trip.

Stay tuned for upcoming weeks in which I will be sharing details
of my lunch with a former graduate and the infertility seminar I
just attended.